The Ministry of Defense ordered Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday (25 September 2025) to make 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MK1A (Tejas) fighter jet for the Indian Air Force. For this, the central government signed a deal of Rs 62,370 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics, which does not include tax.

When will Tejas Mark 1A be delivered from?

These 97 LCA MK1A aircraft include 68 single seater fighter jet and 29 double seater trainer aircraft. The delivery of these aircraft will start from 2027-28 and will be completed in six years. These will use more than 64 percent indigenous goods and 67 new indigenous equipment, which is a big step towards promoting self -sufficient India initiative.

The contract has been signed by the Cabinet Committee on Security Affairs (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about a month after this major purchase was approved. This is the second such deal done with this government veteran company in the aerospace sector.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has received an order for Tejas Fighter Jet from the Ministry of Defense. In February 2021, the central government ordered HAL 83 Mark 1A. For this, a deal of Rs 46,898 crore was done, for which time till 2028 was fixed.

Mark 1A will replace MiG-21

MK-1 A with single engine will replace MiG-21 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force wants to include these fighter aircraft as its number of fighter squadron has been officially reduced from 42 to 31. The MiG-21 aircraft will retire on 26 September 2025. It played an important role in the 1971 war, Kargil and many big missions during the 62 -year service.

HAL has recently received a third JE-404 engine for LCA-MK1A (Tejas MK1A) and is expected to get another engine soon. LCA’s MK1A version will further advance fighter avionics and air -to -air fuel.

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